We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Wow! That was the happiest day of my life. I still remember that fateful morning when I was seeing off my relative who had visited me the previous day. On my way back to the house, I received a text message on my phone. Being illiterate, I could not read the contents of the message and gave it to my neighbor, who broke the good news that I had received my first transfer. It filled my heart with joy as I started ululating and shouting at the top of my voice because of the happiness. I quickly called my son and shared the good news as we all laughed and celebrated the wonderful moment.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
In our culture, it’s very wrong when grown up (15 years and above) children sleep in the same house as their parents. The lack of a stable source of income was a stamping block for me in building a house for my grown-up children. This gave me sleepless nights and lacked peace of mind. Building the house using the money from the transfer is the biggest difference that I have in my daily life because my children can comfortably live in the new house and restore back my privacy as a mother living in her own house.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Water is life and a very essential commodity for my family. When the drought struck 3 years ago, all the water sources within the village dried up, and were forced to buy water at higher prices from water vendors. It is for this reason that I spent KES 8000 on buying a 1000 liters water tank that will help in both storing and harvesting rainwater. This will help me cut costs in purchasing water and also traveling very long distances in search of precious commodity. I spent the KES 20000 amount on buying 8 pieces of iron sheets, 5 kg of nails, pieces of timbers, and building poles to build a new one-room house for my family. The current house I am living in is very tiny and cannot accommodate all the members of my family (husband and four children). Building the new house will create enough space to accommodate all the members of my family. Finally, I spent the remaining amount on medication for my husband. For over two years, he has faced challenges in passing out urine affecting his well-being and making him unable to work. Due to my low income, I could not seek proper medical attention, hence making his.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I would like to support my son to build a house when I get this money. He already saved up some money for that project but he ended up supporting me with it. He bought a piece of land and build a house for me and my husband. Even though it's not complete yet as it lacks even a door, I'm really grateful for that. But it always pains me a lot to see him struggling to get a place to sleep whenever he visits the village. It keeps reminding me of the sacrifice he made. Before I do anything to complete my house I have to just return that and ensure that he has a structure of his own. This might cost between 50000 KES and 100000 KES.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I felt so happy about having relocated to this village. Initially I was a resident of Vilakwe village but I had bad neighbors who consistently fought me over petty issues. First they started off by creating unnecessary boundary dispute that went on until we moved. And while there still they were constantly reminding us that we do not belong. It really feels good to be in my new home where everyone respects and likes us.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I live in a house that is completely doorless. This means that other than security I also have to experience total adversity of the weather. It feels bad I didn't get enough money to buy a door and so that's how I have been living for the past one year. I intend to buy one at 2500 KES from local carpenters in the village to restore security. Right now I'm even afraid of going far away from home because I cannot close my door
